Baseball

Little League Baseball

Lake Norman Little League offers recreational baseball divisions of play for boys and girls, league ages 4-16. All baseball players above Tee Ball are required to attend a skills evaluation, after which a final determination is made in regards to division placement.

League Age ranges are typical for these programs to keep participants playing age appropriate ball. Age ranges often overlap, allowing players who need a little more time to develop to play down in a division, or play up in a division if they are ready to advance and if approved by the league board.

Tee Ball Division

The Tee Ball Division (league ages 4-6) is often a family’s first introduction to Little League. Tee Ball provides an experience that is grounded in fun, fitness, and fundamentals and is key to growing a child’s love for the game. To aid leagues in providing a positive introduction to baseball and softball, Little League developed a 10-week Tee Ball curriculum that has been shown to improve the experience for players, parents, and coaches.

> Little League® Tee Ball Curriculum

Tee Ball players use bats and baseballs designated specifically for use in this division. The roster size for a Tee Ball team averages 10-12 players, with a season featuring one weeknight practice and one game per week on Saturdays.

Minor League Baseball Divisions

Minor League Baseball divisions (league ages 6-10) are established for "machine-pitch" and "player-pitch". A player who is league-age 5 for the current season and has played a year in Tee Ball is eligible to participate in the introductory machine-pitch division.

The Cactus Baseball Division (league ages 6-7) is an introductory machine-pitch baseball division utilizing a 60-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 30 feet. All Stars are selected in the spring to participate in Lake Norman Little League's exhibition Cactus All-Star game at the conclusion of the season.

The Grapefruit Baseball Division (league ages 7-8) is an advanced machine-pitch baseball division utilizing a 60-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 46 feet. All Stars are selected in the spring to participate in Little League's district tournaments with the opportunity to advance to the state tournament.

The AAA Baseball Division (league ages 8-10) is an introductory player-pitch baseball division utilizing a 60-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 46 feet. All Stars are selected in the spring to participate in Little League's district tournaments with the opportunity to advance to the state tournament. State Champions in the 8-10 year old division advance to Little League's Southeast Region Tournament of State Champions.

Little League (Majors) Baseball Division

The Little League (Majors) Baseball Division (league ages 10-12) is an advanced player-pitch baseball division utilizing a 60-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 46 feet. Lake Norman Little League drafts teams in this division each season following skills evaluations.

Each spring, Lake Norman Little League chooses a Tournament Team (“All Stars”) to compete in Little League's International Tournament starting with the district tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania featuring teams from around the world.

Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division

The Intermediate (50/70) Baseball Division (league ages 11-13) utilizes a 50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot base paths. The division offers a transition for players between the standard Little League field size (46-foot pitching distance and 60-foot base paths) and the Junior/Senior League field size (60-foot, 6-inch pitching distance and 90-foot base paths). Many of the Junior League rules are used such as runners being permitted to lead off bases, runners may attempt to steal at any time, and allowing an on-deck batter. Lake Norman Little League drafts teams in this division each season following skills evaluations.

Each spring, Lake Norman Little League chooses a Tournament Team (“All Stars”) to compete in the International Tournament starting with the district tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Intermediate (50/70) Baseball World Series in Livermore, California featuring teams from around the world.

Junior League Baseball Division

The Junior League Baseball Division (league ages 13-14) utilizes a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. Lake Norman Little League drafts teams in this division each season following skills evaluations. Teams compete in a district-wide game schedule with some travel to neighboring leagues required.

Each spring, Lake Norman Little League chooses a Tournament Team ("All Stars”) to compete in the International Tournament starting with the district tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Junior League Baseball World Series in Taylor, Michigan featuring teams from around the world.

Senior League Baseball Division

The Senior League Baseball Division (league ages 14-16) utilizes a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. Lake Norman Little League drafts teams in this division each season following skills evaluations. Teams compete in a district-wide game schedule with some travel to neighboring leagues required.

Each spring, Lake Norman Little League chooses a Tournament Team (“All Stars”) to compete in the International Tournament starting with the district tournament. The culmination of the International Tournament is the Senior League Baseball World Series in Easley, South Carolina featuring teams from around the world.

Babe Ruth League 18U Baseball Division

The Babe Ruth League 18U Baseball Division (ages 16-18) utilizes a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. This is the highest and most accomplished level in Babe Ruth Baseball. A favorite among high school players and coaches, this division prepares players for collegiate recruiting and the professional draft. Teams compete in a district-wide game schedule with some travel to neighboring leagues required.

At the conclusion of the spring season, this division allows players a chance to compete through a tournament trail to reach the Babe Ruth League 16-18 Year-Old World Series.

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Lake Norman Little League